"'Blasphemy Card'?" Alger was momentarily taken aback by the term. After a beat, as if remembering something, he asked hastily, "Mr. Tower, by 'Blasphemy Card,' are you referring to the deck Emperor Roselle crafted, the one rumored to contain the secrets of the twenty-two divine Pathways?"
Hearing the Hanged Man's question, both Justice and Judgment turned their gaze toward Tower, eagerly awaiting his response.
They had all, to varying degrees, heard whispers of Roselle creating a deck of cards that symbolized some unknown power. It was even rumored that the current popular tarot deck's twenty-two Major Arcana were based on this secret deck.
"That's right. After Emperor Roselle saw the second 'Blasphemy Slate,' he created that legendary deck… so I call it the 'Blasphemy Cards.'" Ebner nodded, confirming their suspicions.
In the early Tarot Club meetings, the Hanged Man Alger had already shared information on the Blasphemy Slates with the Fool and Justice, so they weren't surprised to hear of a second slate. Instead, they were eager to know how Mr. Tower had deduced that Qilangos's attempt to assassinate the duke was related to the Blasphemy Cards.
Miss Judgment, on the other hand, wasn't aware of the Blasphemy Slates. However, seeing the others act as if they already knew about it, she kept a calm expression, noting down the details to ask Ebner about later.
Only the Sun was genuinely bewildered, unable to grasp what cards were or how they related to "blasphemy."
Seeing everyone's attention on him, Ebner decided not to hold back any longer. Half truthfully, half fictionally, he explained:
"I learned something while channeling that 'Serial Killer.'
"A mysterious, ancient organization had set a bounty with the 'Abyss Card' from the Blasphemy Cards as the reward, enticing followers of the Blood Sanctify Sect into Backlund to carry out an assassination.
"This bounty was announced around the same time as Vice Admiral Hurricane's death...
"Therefore, I surmise that the entity luring Vice Admiral Hurricane to attempt Duke Negan's assassination was very likely this same organization… and the reward was a Blasphemy Card associated with the Sailor Pathway."
This explanation contained both insights he gained from channeling and details inferred from the original text. Presented together, the logic was clear, allowing the others to easily follow his reasoning.
At least the Hanged Man Alger believed it to be 70-80% credible. Suddenly enlightened, he thought, No wonder Qilangos thought he'd soon become a demigod. A Blasphemy Card, containing the highest secrets of a divine Pathway, could indeed create a demigod. It only makes sense.
Still, Alger was inherently skeptical, so he instinctively looked to the Fool at the head of the table, hoping for some insight… at the very least, some confirmation of whether Tower's words were true.
Justice, seated opposite, was enraged by the notion of an "ancient" organization constantly attempting to assassinate the duke, disrupting Backlund's security and order. The presence of Blood Sanctify Sect followers had endangered the entire city.
Struggling to control her emotions, she took a deep breath to regain her "Spectator" state before asking, "Mr. Tower, what is the name of this 'ancient' and 'mysterious' organization?" I'll report them to the church.
Good question, Miss Justice! Ebner silently praised Audrey once more. However, he didn't answer her. Instead, he stood solemnly and addressed the enigmatic figure shrouded in gray fog at the head of the table, "Honorable Mr. Fool, may I reveal this organization's name here?"
Klein has already read about this organization several times in the Roselle diaries. With my attitude and tone, he should be able to make the appropriate connections and play along with the role I've laid out.
Mr. Fool, work with me just this once.
While Ebner was inwardly cheering for Mr. Fool, Klein himself was baffled.
He glanced at the Hanged Man and Tower, both waiting expectantly for his response and inwardly cursed, Those two just never stop with the questions. Then he quickly considered his response:
I've been having them collect Roselle's diaries, so if I don't respond to a topic as significant as the Blasphemy Cards, it would seem odd…
But what can I say? I don't know anything! Roselle didn't even write about it in his diary...
Wait, I do recall several diary entries mentioning an ancient, secret organization subtly influencing world events… I even once griped that he wouldn't just come out and name the organization...
The words 'ancient' and 'secret' align with how Tower described this organization. Their use of Blasphemy Cards as bait to manipulate Beyonders into assassinations might be part of their global influence…
If Duke Negan were to die, the kingdom's conservative faction would undoubtedly lose significant political influence, possibly tipping the scales…
Additionally, Roselle's use of Chinese to avoid directly naming the organization, coupled with Mr. Tower's serious question about revealing the name...
Maybe the organization Tower identified is the same one Roselle joined back then…
With these thoughts in mind, Klein leaned back in his chair and, as if casually, looked at Tower, and asked in a relaxed tone, "Are you referring to the organization that holds the second Blasphemy Slate and has been secretly influencing world events?"
The second Blasphemy Slate? Secretly influencing world events?
Everyone in the Tarot Club, save Ebner and the Sun Derrick, was startled by Klein's description.
Though they didn't know this organization's specific members or extent of its power, the mere adjectives Klein used gave them a terrifying glimpse of its potential.
And judging by the Fool's tone, such a formidable organization seemed insignificant to him.
Ebner secretly sighed in relief, thinking, As expected of the "Clown" who can act on a whim. He descended the steps I set up with ease.
"That's right, it's precisely that organization…" Ebner nodded gravely, before pretending to hesitate. "You're aware of their characteristic, 'Every word will be known'... Before you, this wouldn't matter… But outside of your realm, should anyone inadvertently speak their name, they would instantly be noticed by this organization."
Every word will be known… An organization so secretive its name couldn't even be spoken aloud? A powerful organization I'd never known about? Is this the force that drove Qilangos and the Blood Sanctify Sect followers?
Wait, Mr. Fool mentioned he had another follower who recently arrived in Backlund… Could they also be here to investigate this organization?
The upper echelons of this world are far more complex than I ever imagined, filled with even more secrets beyond my comprehension… The Hanged Man Alger gave an almost imperceptible nod, his heart both shaken and thrilled.
So Mr. Tower is implying that outside of Mr. Fool's divine kingdom, merely mentioning this terrifying organization's name would cause them to sense it through some method or artifact?
That seems to be the implication… An organization so profoundly hidden, so exalted in rank! In some ways, they might even surpass the churches of the Seven Gods… And Mr. Fool appears to look down upon them?
Audrey felt as though she'd suddenly come to understand a great many things.
"Every word will be known"… so that's why Roselle wouldn't even write their name in Chinese? It's not enough to simply avoid saying it; it can't be written either…
Thankfully, the realm above the gray fog should be safe… No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I'll need to perform a divination after the Tarot Meeting ends to confirm.
At this point, Klein resolved to find a reason to prevent Mr. Tower from revealing the organization's name. He would give his consent only after further confirmation.
Of course, Klein was unaware that Mr. Tower felt he had already revealed enough today and had no intention of drawing the attention of that "Angel King" just yet.
(End of Chapter)